Human adenovirus infection in phytohaemagglutinin treated mice

The course of infection by human adenovirus type 12 has been studied in mice treated with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) 1 day after infection or those infected with the virus 3 days after PHA treatment. Virus antigens were demonstrated by immunofluorescence in the cells of the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes and in some cases the supernatant of the cell homogenate was found to contain infective viruses. Virus antigens occurred sporadically in cells of the lymphoid organs of control animals infected only with adenovirus. Neither virus antigens nor infective virus could be detected in mice that were not infected by virus and not treated with PHA as controls. The results indicate that PHA treatment increased the sensitivity of mice to human adenovirus infection.